What is a generation calculator?
A generation calculator is a tool that determines which generation you belong to based on your birth year. Each generation spans a specific range of birth years and shares common traits shaped by the historical, cultural and technological events of that era.
How to find out your generation?
Enter your birth year into the calculator and click "Calculate". The tool will instantly tell you which generation you belong to and provide a brief description of that generation's defining characteristics. You can also enter the birth years of friends or family members to compare generations.
What are the generations and their years?
There are currently eight widely recognized generations:
- Greatest Generation — born 1901–1927. Lived through the Great Depression and fought in World War II.
- Silent Generation — born 1928–1945. Grew up during wartime and the post-war era, valuing stability and conformity.
- Baby Boomers — born 1946–1964. The post-war economic boom generation that shaped modern consumer culture.
- Generation X — born 1965–1980. The independent "latchkey kids" generation that values self-reliance and work-life balance.
- Millennials (Gen Y) — born 1981–1996. The first digital generation, growing up with the rise of the internet.
- Generation Z — born 1997–2012. True digital natives who grew up with smartphones and social media.
- Generation Alpha — born 2013–2024. The youngest fully defined generation, growing up with AI and tablets as everyday tools.
- Generation Beta — born from 2025 onward. The newest generation whose defining traits are still being shaped.
What are the differences between generations?
Each generation was shaped by different historical circumstances. Baby Boomers grew up during economic prosperity and tend to value loyalty to employers. Generation X is more independent and skeptical of institutions. Millennials prioritize experiences over possessions and are highly connected through technology. Gen Z is even more digitally immersed — they have never known a world without the internet. Gen Alpha is growing up with voice assistants and artificial intelligence as everyday companions.
Why does knowing your generation matter?
Understanding your generation helps you see the roots of your values, habits and worldview. It is useful for communicating with people of different ages — whether in your family, workplace or community. Marketers, educators and sociologists use generational theory to better understand the behavior and expectations of different age groups.